Review: Kolhabi Inabel Pen Cases

When we were younger, Tatay's (Father) work brought him to different places in the country. From his trips to the far south, he brought batik, marang, and curacha. From the north, he always buys our favorite sweet and spicy chichacorn and Mama's treasured inabel and binakol fabrics. That was a long time ago, but I still remember the colorful fabrics and their patterns. 

In January this year, two members of our local fountain pen group teamed up with a group of weavers in Ilocos Norte and came up with pen cases and pen wraps using traditional binakol fabrics. Calvin and Miko kindly sent samples of the Kolhabi Inabel Pen Cases for review and I am so happy to see that the products are well-done and durable and that they highlight binakol's beauty. Seeing the products also brought back memories of the time when Tatay comes home from his trips full of pasalubongs for everyone in the family.

Kolhabi Inabel Pen Cases are made by weavers from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

The Kolhabi Inabel Pen Cases are available in three-pen cases and eight-pen rolls. They are made in partnership with the weavers of Kolhabi from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, and available in different patterns of binakol (or binakul) in five colors: green, orange, black/gray, red, and blue. Binakol, a variation of inabel, is a traditional textile pattern woven by hand using wooden looms in the Ilocos province in the Philippines. It is easily recognized by its geometric, interlocked colorful patterns. The dizzying pattern is said to ward off and distract evil spirits and protect the wearer. The Kolhabi pen cases and pen rolls are unique and exquisite as the weaving technique of binakol is an ancient tradition passed down to generations.

The Kolhabi three-pen case, a perfect EDC (everyday carry), measures 4 in x 6.25 in. The pen slots measure 1.5 in x 5 in, and the long flap allows standard-sized and longer pens to fit inside the pen case. The Kolhabi three-pen case is available in orange, blue, purple, and dark violet binakol fabric.

Kolhabi three-pen case in green. Perfect for our EDC.

The Kolhabi three-pen case's pen slots are sewn only to one side, so there is space for other stuff. A passport size notebook fits in, as well as a mobile phone.

The pen slots are wide enough to accommodate big pens. I placed my pens inside the three-pen case with their clips sideways so there's enough space for a passport size notebook and other bits of paper. 

The three-pen case with three pens, a notebook, and some folded paper inside. The strap holds the flap securely and helps adjust to the thickness of the pen case contents.

The second product from Kolhabi Inabel Pen Cases is the Kolhabi pen roll which has slots for eight pens. Each slot measures 1.5 in x 4 in. The pen roll is 11.25 in wide and 11.75 in tall, which fits not only standard size pens, but also the longer ones because the flap or cover adjusts to the height of the pens inside. A thick elastic band secures the roll as it is fastened to the small button on the pen roll's cover. The Kolhabi eight-pen roll is available in orange, blue, purple, and dark violet binakol fabric.

Kolhabi eight-pen roll fits standard size and long pens as the flap adjusts to the height of the pens inside.

The Kolhabi eight-pen roll is very neatly made. The black lining and white muslin for the pen slots look great as they are sewn expertly.

The pen roll accommodates standard size pens as well as longer ones. I wish the pen slots were wider because bigger pens are quite tight inside the slots. 

The pen roll's flap adjusts to the height (or length) of the pens inside.

Folding the Kolhabi eight-pen roll: 1. fold the roll after the second pen slot; 2. fold again after the fifth pen slot; and 3. secure the roll by locking the elastic band on the button on top of the roll's cover. 

The Kolhabi three-pen case is the perfect companion to my Traveler's Notebook.

The eight-pen roll is also perfect to go with bigger notebooks such as my A5 Starbucks diary/planner.

The Kolhabi Inabel Pen Cases are nice-looking unique, sturdy, and well-done products that ensure our pens are protected while kept inside either for everyday carry or for storage. They are functional and beautiful and I am always reminded of the historical and cultural value of the binakol whenever I use them to carry my pens. 

I am happy and proud to see Filipino artisans making excellent, world-class products such as this pen cases using local handwoven fabric. They are well-done and designed carefully to be useful for a long period of time. Get both for your pens!

Rants of The Archer thanks Kolhabi Pen Cases and the weavers of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte for providing the pen cases in this review. For more details about their products, follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kolhabipencases/

Review: NATIVIDAD Leather Three-Pen Case Dark Blue

When I started using and collecting fountain pens in 2008, fountain pens and inks were not the only hard to find items in the Philippines. Fountain pen accessories—pen cases, pen wraps, paper friendly notebooks—were even harder to find. Most of us had to get some of these items abroad. In recent years, pen accessories and related products have become available in the country, with some accessories being handcrafted by local makers. Pen wraps, pen rolls, and pen cases made by expert Filipino artisans are now available locally. One such product is the three-pen case by the local leathermaker NATIVIDAD Leather. 

I first saw the leather pen cases by NATIVIDAD Leather in our local fountain pen group. I got a three-pen case in the newly-released dark blue color, and I was very impressed the moment I opened the box. The pen case has a simple design but is well-crafted and tough for daily use. The leather is smooth, supple, and clean. I found a new pen case for my everyday carry. 

NATIVIDAD Leather Three-Pen Case in dark blue

NATIVIDAD Leather's pen cases are handcrafted in the Philippines using locally sourced leather and materials. They are semi-hard cases made from durable full-grain vegetable-tanned leather designed to protect pens. The outer side of the leather is shiny and smooth and will surely develop a patina over time. The inner part is grainy but soft and supple with an earthy leather scent. 

NATIVIDAD Leather pen cases are safe for pens as they do not have any metal hardware such as snap buttons or fasteners that could potentially scratch or damage pens. The adjustable closure of the pen case is also made from leather to make sure it is safe for even the most delicate pens.

I got a dark blue leather pen case, but this three-pen case is also available in black, tan, olive, and teal. Colors vary from time to time depending on available materials.

The semi-hard pen cases from NATIVIDAD Leather have separate slots for individual pens, so they will not scratch one another. The pen slots are designed to be shorter than those in regular pen cases so that pens do not need to be clipped over the leather. This reduces stress on the cap and prevents breakage. The short pen slots also provide more space to grip pens so they are easier to pull out of the pen case. 

The pen case has individual slots for three pens.

The individual slots ensure pens are safe inside.

The slots can fit pens up to 5.70 in (14.5 cm) long, and ~1.9 in (5 cm) in barrel diameter, but the leathermakers at NATIVIDAD Leather can easily customize their pen cases to fit longer and larger pens. Having local makers create accessories for us ensures that product customization is always possible. Aside from three-pen cases, NATIVIDAD Leather can also make single pen sleeves and four- and six-pen leather cases.

The semi-hard three-pen leather case fits longer pens such as a Conklin Duragraph or a Leonardo Momento Zero, and large pens such as the BENU Tessera.

It's perfect for Lamy Safaris...

...and TWSBI ECOs.

The short pen slots of this pen case also fit pocket pens such as the Kaweco Sport. The flap can be pulled further down for a more secure fit.

It's the perfect companion to my blue Traveler's Notebook.

I am happy and proud to see Filipino artisans making excellent, world-class products such as this three-pen case. It's well-built and designed carefully to be useful for a long period of time and promotes local leather craftsmanship. NATIVIDAD Leather products are fully customizable to fit different pens. The only additional feature I was looking for in this pen case is a logo or any markings to indicate the leathermaker's branding.

Rants of The Archer thanks NATIVIDAD Leather for providing the pen case in this review. If you want to purchase their pen cases, you can send NATIVIDAD Leather an email at natividad.leather@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natividad.leather/ or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natividad_leather/ to get updates on new product offers.

Review: Shibui 5-Pen Case in Saddle Brown Leather

When I started using and collecting fountain pens, I didn't realize that the hobby would include a lot of other products. A few months into the hobby, I learned that aside from adding more fountain pens to my collection, using these pens involves a lot of other fascinating products -- paper, ink, and carrying cases such as pen wraps -- or rolls -- and pen cases. For so many years, I enjoyed using a blue 12-pen flannel pen roll as my daily pen carry. The cloth was safe for my pens, it was easy to wash/clean, and it carried a lot of pens. But I realized I needed a smaller carrying case for only a few pens, too. I needed one that's sturdier and more secure.

During the 2018 Manila Fountain Pen Show, I came upon Shibui PH and their leather pen cases. It was love at first sight! Shibui's leather pen cases became one of my must-haves as a fountain pen user/collector. They are well crafted and looked like the perfect pen case that I needed! Two months later, I received Shibui's 5-pen case in lovely saddle brown leather. The pen case is beautiful, well built, and ready for the rough and tumble of being an everyday carry, or what we call our EDC. I was ready to use it and write a review, but my health held down everything for a while. For most of 2019, blogging, calligraphy, and my other hobbies were grounded as my body needed time to heal from surgery. I am now fully recovered and back to blogging and reviewing with Shibui's leather pen case as my comeback review before 2019 ends.

Shibui's white boxes — neat, simple, elegant. 

Shibui's products are packaged in large white boxes printed only with the Shibui logo. This careful, efficient, and elegant product presentation is very classy and truly impressive. Inside the box are the pen case, a small flyer with leather care instructions, and a postcard. The inside bottom of the box contains the Shibui brand philosophy, contact details, and their social media accounts.

The pen case inside Shibui's iconic white box.

Inside the box: flyer for leather care, postcard, Shibui brand philosophy, and their contact details.

Shibui pen cases are handcrafted by artisans in Bulacan, a province in the Philippines' Central Luzon region where leather crafting is a major industry. The leather used in their beautiful pen cases is locally sourced from either Bulacan or Marikina City in Metro Manila where specific cowhide colors are made for them. Unlike other companies that outsource their production, Shibui PH makes their pen cases in their leather making factory. Awesome!

Shibui pen cases have their own characteristics — no two pieces are alike and each carries its own look and personality.

The Shibui leather pen case looks beautiful out of the box. The full-grain leather is smooth to touch and has a rich earthy scent. The pen case has excellent stitching and a good quality zipper that is easy to reach. Shibui pen cases are all handcrafted from real leather, and each piece is unique — no two pieces are alike — in appearance and characteristics. I'm excited to see how this pen case will look after several months of use. The leather will surely develop a patina, a character marked by occasional scratches and darkened by the oils from my hand.

The full pen case fits inside my backpack comfortably. It's not too thick because the leather is not padded at all.

During their design process, the creators of Shibui wanted their pen cases to be strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. They thought of making the insides of their pen cases as sturdy and durable as its leather, but still flexible to accommodate different fountain pen sizes without the use of elastic bands. This led to the creation of the most unique feature of Shibui's pen cases — the Pull-Tag™ — an adjustable soft leather band holding the pens securely in their slots inside the pen case. Most pen cases use elastic bands for pen slots, but those become loose and are easily worn out through continued use. Shibui's Pull-Tag™ allows pens in any size and thickness to fit securely in their slots without any risk of pen damage due to tight elastic bands. Anyone who has a Shibui pen case can add and mix different pens safely in their EDCs!

Shibui pen cases are the only pen cases in the market with the Pull-Tag™ adjustable leather band.

The Pull-Tag™ replaces elastic bands that turn loose and are easily worn out due to daily use.

The zippers on Shibui's pen cases bear their logo. Love this!

This Shibui pen case accommodates pens in any size and thickness...

...without the risk of pen damage (scratches, cracks) that usually happens due to tight elastic bands. Each pen — thin or thick — fits comfortably in their slots. The leather band looks nice on the pens, too! 

This pen case has compartments, too! There's one which fits a pocket notebook or a small notepad, and two smaller ones for business cards, receipts, or tickets.

During the 2019 Manila Pen Show in November, Shibui PH introduced exclusive and limited edition leather 2-pen cases. The pen cases are made from 100% veg-tanned genuine cowhide leather. The pen cases are available in two variants and color combinations to represent the second pen show in the Philippines. The color scheme, on the other hand, is inspired by the new wave of the milk tea craze that took over the Philippines in 2019. The color combinations are The Classic, which has white leather on the outside, and brown leather on the inside; and The Brown Sugar, with brown leather on the outside, and white leather on the inside. These pen cases are still available from Shibui PH.

Exclusive and limited edition Shibui 2-pen cases for the 2nd Manila Pen Show.
(These 100% veg-tanned pen cases are still available at the Shibui PH website.) Photo from Shibui PH

Shibui PH products are designed and crafted by Filipinos whose vision has always been to create a brand that will promote Filipino leather craftsmanship to the world. Shibui's creators are firm believers of local craftsmanship and their goal is to enrich local industries and compete with other brands on a global stage. They envisioned a brand that will have a strong local and international following because they believe that providing jobs to Filipino leatherworkers means that more families can stay together and will no longer need to look for work overseas. This way, fathers can stay with their children, train them, and pass on the legacy of leather crafting to the next generation, a skill that is slowly fading as next-generation leather workers become interested in other endeavors.

My Shibui pen case's saddle brown leather is a perfect match for my brown Traveler's Notebook!

Aside from this pen case, Shibui offers 3-pen cases, an 8-vial case, Hobo Weeks Cover, A5 or A6 Notebook/Journal Covers, A5 or A6 Life Organizers, Travel Wallet, and Travel Organizer. To see (and buy) these amazing Filipino products, visit the Shibui PH website (https://www.shibuiph.com/).

In the Philippines, Shibui pen cases and other leather products are also available in the following stores: Scribe.ph (SM Aura, Glorietta 4, and Eastwood branches), Analog, Noteworthy (Podium, Rockwell, BGC, and Alabang Town Center branches) and Everything Calligraphy.

And did you know? Shibui PH has now reached the global stage! Overseas, Shibui leather pen cases are available in Malaysia (Pen Gallery), Singapore (Cityluxe), and the United States (Endless Pens). Shibui products will also be in Hong Kong and Korea very, very soon!

The Shibui 5-Pen Case in this review is provided by Shibui PH where it retails for PhP2,650 (~US$65). For more details on purchasing from Shibui PH, visit their website at https://www.shibuiph.com/.